James Money Vardaman

James Money Vardaman, died Saturday, August 4, 2007, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Visitation is Tuesday, August 7, 2007, 10:30 - 12:00 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, Mississippi. Funeral services are noon Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, Mississippi with a family graveside service in the Cedarlawn Cemetery in Jackson. Mark Seepe Funeral Directors & Crematorium in Jackson, Mississippi is handling the arrangements.

Mr. Vardaman, son of Jim Money and Martha Middleton Vardaman, was born June 1, 1921 in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Central High School in Memphis, attended the University of Virginia and graduated from the University of Michigan Class of 1942, then entered the U. S. Army, where he served as a field artillery officer with a 92nd Armored Field Artillery "Hell On Wheels" Battalion, and received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action, being discharged in 1945.

In 1951, he founded James M. Vardaman & Company, Forest Management Specialists in Laurel, Mississippi, moving the main office of his business to Jackson in 1961, which he managed until 2002. While in Laurel he was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry, and was from 1961 a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral, where he organized an informal inreach group - the You are Mine Society. He was also a long time member of the Mississippi Forestry Association, which he once served as president.

An avid birder since childhood, he authored a book "Call Collect, Ask for Birman," in 1980, and also the book, "How to Make Money Growing Trees," still in print after 43 years.

Survivors include: wife, Virginia Bradley Vardaman, and by seven children: James M. Vardaman Jr. of Tokyo, Japan, John B. Vardaman and Virginia Kimble Vardaman of Jackson, Stewart Vardaman of Denver, Colo., Lt. Col. David Vardaman (Linda) of Dahlgren, Va., Emily Walters (Kevin) of Nashville, Tenn. and Sally Johnson (Darryl) of Minneapolis, Minn. He leaves five grandchildren, Maya Vardaman, Christian Vardaman, and Patrick, Charlotte and Virginia Johnson. He is also survived by a sister, Martha V. Doyle of Memphis, Tenn.

Preceded in death by his brothers, Douglas Vardaman and Howard C. Ross, Jr.

Friends are requested to send memorials to Hospice Ministries, 450 Town Center Blvd., Ridgeland, MS 39157, or to a charity of their choice.